Synthesis, structural characterization, and optical properties of PVA/MnO2 materials for optoelectronics applications

• Published in: Macromolecular research 2024, 32(1), , pp.35-44
• Main Authors: Alsaif, Norah A. M., Atta, A., Abdeltwab, E., Abdel-Hamid, M. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Complex Fluids and Microfluidics; Dispersion; Electronic structure; Manganese dioxide; Nanochemistry; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Optical properties; Optoelectronics; Physical Chemistry; Plasma frequencies; Polymer Sciences; Polyvinyl alcohol; Refractivity; Soft and Granular Matter; Structural analysis; 고분자공학
• ISSN: 1598-5032; 2092-7673
• DOI: 10.1007/s13233-023-00212-y

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was mixed with concentration of 5%, 7.5%, and 10% of manganese dioxide (MnO 2 ) to form PVA/MnO 2 films using solution cast approach method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) verified that the nanomaterials films were successfully fabricated. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) illustrates the uniform MnO 2 dispersion within the PVA host matrix. Additionally, the influence of MnO 2 on the optical properties is recorded. The refractive index ( n 0 ) is improved by adding MnO 2 , from 1.29 for PVA to 1.87 for PVA/5%MnO 2 and 2.86 for PVA/10%MnO 2 . The PVA had a dispersion energy of 2.53 eV, while PVA with 5% MnO 2 had 4.86 eV, PVA with 7.5% MnO 2 had 5.74 eV, and PVA with 10%MnO 2 had 7.12 eV. In addition, the oscillation energy E 0 decreased from 3.79 for PVA to 1.94, 1.72, and 0.99 eV, respectively for PVA/5%MnO 2 , PVA/7.5%MnO 2 , and PVA/10%MnO 2 . It is evident from the data that the incorporation of MnO 2 to the PVA polymer alters its optical properties. This proved the existence of strong interactions of PVA and MnO 2 due to the modification of the PVA/MnO 2 electronic structure. Moreover, the plasma frequency W p value increased from 0.79 × 10 13  s −1 for PVA to 2.06 × 10 13  s −1 for PVA/10%MnO 2 . These shifts in W p provided the polarization is modified for the PVA/MnO 2 . The results obtained in this study provide evidence of the advantages associated with the utilization of MnO 2 nanoparticles as a filler of improved polymeric structures. These findings also propose the potential suitability of MnO 2 nanoparticles for application in the field of optics and electronic devices. Graphical abstract